The Macrobert Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £1,000,000+
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: 1-6 months (varies by program)
• Grant Range: £5,000 - £50,000
• Geographic Focus: UK-wide (preference for Scotland)

Contact Details

Website: https://www.themacroberttrust.org.uk

Email: info@themacroberttrust.org.uk

Address: Cromar, Tarland, Aberdeenshire AB34 4UD

Charity Number: SC031346 (OSCR)

Contact for Applications: Alison Donaldson – Charity Manager

Overview

The MacRobert Trust was established following the death of Lady Rachel MacRobert in 1954, in memory of her three sons who were all killed as aviators (one in a civil accident in 1938, and two in RAF service during World War II). Lady MacRobert, a geologist and one of the first three women admitted to Fellowship of the Geological Society of London, had donated substantial funds to the RAF during the war to purchase aircraft named "MacRobert's Reply" in honor of her sons. Registered as a Scottish charity since 2001, the Trust awards over £1 million annually using income from financial investments and surplus income generated by the estate. Over the past 10 years alone, more than £10 million has been awarded in charitable grants. The Trust's deep connection to the Armed Forces remains central to its mission, while also supporting education, agriculture, arts, science, engineering, and local community initiatives. The Trust also established the prestigious MacRobert Award for engineering, now administered by the Royal Academy of Engineering.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Trust operates four categories of monetary awards with different review schedules and amounts:

• Cromar Awards: £5,000 - £25,000 (reviewed monthly, rolling basis)
• Alastrean Awards: £5,000 - £25,000 (reviewed 4-6 times per year)
• Douneside Awards: £10,000 - £50,000 (reviewed twice yearly in May and November)
• Small Grants Programme: Up to £5,000 (for smaller projects)
• Lady MacRobert Awards: Currently closed

Occasionally, the Trustees make recurring grants of up to three years.

Priority Areas

The Trust supports five main funding themes:

1. Armed Forces & Good Citizenship: Relief and assistance for those connected to RAF, Army, Navy, or Mercantile Marine; support for Armed Forces charities (nearly £10 million awarded over 20 years)
2. General Education: Scholarships, fellowships, educational institutions, music and arts programs
3. Agriculture & Sustainability: Supporting agricultural initiatives and sustainable practices
4. Arts, Science & Engineering: Scientific research, engineering innovation, cultural initiatives
5. Local Community: Projects in Tarland, Douneside area, and wider community initiatives

What They Don't Fund

Applications are not accepted from:

• Organisations or beneficiaries based outside the United Kingdom
• Individuals (except through the Trust's own training schemes)
• General or mailshot appeals
• Political organizations
• Religious organizations (for religious purposes)
• Retrospective applications (funding for work already completed)
• Student bodies
• Expeditions (except through recognized bodies)
• Community and village halls (except in the local Tarland/Douneside area)
• Pre-school groups, after-school clubs, or school PTAs

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Governance and Leadership

The MacRobert Trust operates as a Company limited by guarantee, with all board members registered as Trustees with OSCR and as Company Directors with Companies House. The Board is responsible for determining the Trust's strategy and ensuring proper governance and procedures are in place.

Board Structure

Trustees have diverse backgrounds reflecting the Trust's wide spectrum of interests and are carefully selected for their range of skills and knowledge. Given Lady MacRobert's commitment to the Armed Forces, the Trust strives to maintain representation from the Services (Army, Royal Navy, RAF) on the Board.

Key Staff:

• Alison Donaldson: Charity Manager & Executive Assistant to the CEO

Meeting Schedule

Trustee Board meetings are held quarterly: January and August meetings are held online, while May and November meetings are held at the Trust's estate in Tarland, Aberdeenshire.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted entirely online through the Trust's website (https://www.themacroberttrust.org.uk). No paper copies are required. Applications can be saved in draft format and completed later.

Before applying, applicants must:

• Be a registered charity with OSCR, the Charity Commission for England and Wales, or the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland
• Read the eligibility criteria and guidance for each award type
• Review applications carefully before submission (amendments may not be possible once submitted)

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines vary by award category:

• Cromar Awards: Monthly review (fastest turnaround)
• Alastrean Awards: 4-6 times per year
• Douneside Awards: Twice yearly (May and November) - outcomes typically announced within 2-4 months of deadline

Success Rates

The Trust receives an extremely high volume of applications with limited funds available. Specific success rate percentages and application numbers are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

For successful applicants: A two-year period from the date of the last award payment is required before reapplying for funding.

For unsuccessful applicants: Must wait one year before submitting a further application. The Trust recommends contacting them first to discuss the application before resubmission.

Application Success Factors

Key Application Requirements

The Trust emphasizes the following in applications:

About your charity:

• Background, aims and objectives
• Current services being delivered
• Latest projects and achievements

About your project:

• Full and detailed description of the project requiring funding
• What are your plans and who/how many people are involved
• Where is the project based and how will it be managed
• Which specific part of the project requires Trust funding

About outcomes:

• What differences the project will make
• Expected outcomes with clear timelines and targets
• How you will monitor and evaluate the work to measure success

Essential requirement: Applicants will be asked for a copy of their charity's safeguarding policy during the application process.

Application Tips from the Trust

1. “Keep your application clear and concise” - While comprehensive information is valued, clarity is essential
2. Include a covering letter - Always introduce your charity with a covering letter
3. Provide comprehensive context - “It is important to let us know as much information as possible which may add value to your request”
4. Additional documentation welcome - Include informative documentation if it adds value to the request

Strategic Priorities

Given the Trust's heritage:

• Strong preference for Scottish charities (though UK-wide applications accepted)
• Deep commitment to Armed Forces causes (nearly £10 million to Armed Forces charities over 20 years)
• Connection to aviation history and RAF support
• Focus on education, particularly in science, engineering, and music
• Support for agricultural and rural community initiatives in Scotland

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Heritage alignment matters: The Trust's connection to the Armed Forces (particularly RAF) and Lady MacRobert's legacy remains central. Projects with Armed Forces links or that honor service members may have strategic advantage.

1. Scottish preference is real: While UK-wide applications are accepted, there is explicit preference for Scottish charities. Location should be highlighted if applicable.

1. Choose the right award category: Match your funding request to the appropriate program (Cromar for monthly rolling, Alastrean for mid-range timeline, Douneside for larger capital grants).

1. Demonstrate clear outcomes: The Trust emphasizes measurable outcomes, monitoring, and evaluation. Applications must show how success will be assessed.

1. Safeguarding is non-negotiable: Have your safeguarding policy ready before applying—it's a mandatory requirement.

1. Respect reapplication timebars: Two years for successful applicants, one year for unsuccessful. Don't waste effort reapplying too soon.

1. High volume competition: The Trust receives “extremely high volume” of applications with limited funds. Applications must be compelling and well-aligned with priorities to stand out.

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust
• Army Benevolent Fund
• THE VETERANS' FOUNDATION
• The Swire Charitable Trust
• The Gosling Foundation Limited
• The Michael Uren Foundation
• MOONDANCE FOUNDATION
• The John Scott Charitable Trust
• The Wimbledon Foundation
• THE CALLEVA FOUNDATION
• The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity
• THE HEALTH FOUNDATION
• The Charles Wolfson Charitable Trust
• THE BARBOUR FOUNDATION
• National Lottery
• THE THALES CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE CASTANEA TRUST
• HELP FUND
• STELIOS PHILANTHROPIC FOUNDATION
• ROYAL ENGINEERS ASSOCIATION

References

1. The MacRobert Trust Official Website - Grants Section: https://www.themacroberttrust.org.uk/grants/

1. The MacRobert Trust Official Website - About Section: https://www.themacroberttrust.org.uk/about/

1. Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) - Charity Details SC031346: https://www.oscr.org.uk/about-charities/search-the-register/charity-details?number=SC031346

1. Funding Scotland - The MacRobert Trust Profile: https://funding.scot/funders/001b000000SsyENAAZ/the-macrobert-trust

1. Funding Scotland - The MacRobert Trust Monetary Awards: https://funding.scot/funds/a0Rb0000000Ng9FEAS/the-macrobert-trust-monetary-awards

1. The MacRobert Trust - Contact Us: http://www.themacroberttrust.org.uk/contact-us/

1. Wikipedia - Rachel, Lady MacRobert: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rachel,_Lady_MacRobert

1. Press and Journal - Wings of Tragedy: Lady MacRobert Article: https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/past-times/4810939/macroberts-wings-of-tragedy/